CIM Common Information Model

The DMTF’s Common Information Model (CIM) provides a common definition of management information for systems, networks, applications and services, and allows for vendor extensions.

The CIM standard includes a Specification and a Schema, as well as a Metamodel:

CIM Management Schema

The CIM Schema provides the actual model descriptions. Management schemas are the building-blocks for management platforms and management applications, such as device configuration, performance management, and change management. CIM structures the managed environment as a collection of interrelated systems, each composed of discrete elements.

Supplying a set of classes with properties and associations that provide a well-understood conceptual framework, CIM organizes information about the managed environment. The CIM Schema is structured into these distinct layers: core model, common model, extension schemas.

If you would like to download HTML or XML versions of the CIM Schema please select the version you would like here.

CIM Specification

CIM can be used in many ways, and the CIM Specification defines the details for integration with other management models. An information model requires a set of legal statement types or syntax and a collection of expressions to manage common aspects of the domain (in this case, complex computer systems). In CIM, the information for performing tasks is organized so that disparate groups of people can use it.

CIM Metamodel

The CIM Metamodel defines the semantics for the construction of new conformant models and the schema that represents those models. Modeling requirements and environments are often different and change over time. The metamodel is further enhanced with the capability of extending its elements through the use of qualifiers.